Patient Outcomes in Laparoscopic Appendectomy With Acute Surgical Care Model Compared to Traditional Call.

Introduction: Shift-based models for acute surgical care (ACS), where surgical emergencies are treated by a dedicated team of surgeons working shifts, without a concurrent elective practice, are becoming more common nationwide. We compared the outcomes for appendectomy, one of the most common emergency surgical procedures, between the traditional (TRAD) call and ACS model at the same institution during the same time frame.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis during 2017-2018.

Improved Outcomes in Treating Acute Biliary Disorders With a Shift-Based Acute Care Surgery Model.

Background: As Acute Care Surgery and shift-based models increase in popularity, there is evidence of better outcomes for many types of emergency general surgery patients. We explored the difference in outcomes for patients with acute biliary disorders, treated by either Acute Care Surgery (ACS) model or traditional call model (TRAD) during the same period.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute biliary disease 2017-2018.

Impact of Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery Rotations on Musculoskeletal Knowledge in Residency.

Introduction Musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints and injuries comprise 18.7% of emergency department visits. However, only 61% of emergency physicians (EP) pass a validated written Freedman and Bernstein MSK examination (FB-MSK).

Surgeons Maintain Better Focus Working 12-Hour Shifts Compared to 24-Hour Calls.

Background: In this quality improvement project, we analyzed surgeon focus and attention utilizing a visual tracking device. We hypothesized that surgeons maintained better focus working 12-hour shifts compared to 24-hour calls.

Materials And Methods: A prospective, quality improvement project was performed on surgery residents, medical students, and attending physicians working at a busy, tertiary referral, safety-net hospital with Level 1 trauma and burn centers.

A Case Series of Successful Abdominal Closure Utilizing a Novel Technique Combining a Mechanical Closure System with a Biologic Xenograft that Accelerates Wound Healing.

In the acute setting, once intra-abdominal injuries have been addressed, the next great hurdle is restoring a functional and intact abdominal compartment. The short and long-term consequences of living with a chronically open abdominal compartment include pulmonary, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and emotional disability. The closure of catastrophic open abdomens presents a challenge to the surgeon.

Insights into the Mechanisms Involved in Protective Effects of VEGF-B in Dopaminergic Neurons.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VEGF-B), when initially discovered, was thought to be an angiogenic factor, due to its intimate sequence homology and receptor binding similarity to the prototype angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). Studies demonstrated that VEGF-B, unlike VEGF-A, did not play a significant role in angiogenesis or vascular permeability and has become an active area of interest because of its role as a survival factor in pathological processes in a multitude of systems, including the brain. By characterization of important downstream targets of VEGF-B that regulate different cellular processes in the nervous system and cardiovascular system, it may be possible to develop more effective clinical interventions in diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and ischemic heart disease, which all share mitochondrial dysfunction as part of the disease.